Publication

In the context of climate change, it is usually not economical or technically possible to completely climate proof infrastructure against all possible climate change projections. Engineers, together with climate scientists, need to establish a clear evidence base of how climate change may impact the assets and surrounding environment and then assess what level of additional risk is acceptable. This determination of acceptable risk is as much a function of economic and political considerations as it is a technical one—especially given the novelty of climate change assessments. This case study is a clear illustration of the interaction of these interfaces in assessing and addressing climate risk vulnerability in the context of a specific investment project in Viet Nam.

The Central Mekong Delta Region Connectivity Project is cofinanced by the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the Republic of Korea with an estimated total financial cost of $860 million in 2013. It consists of two bridges and an interconnecting road that will form part of a strategic transportation link connecting provinces of the delta to Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, the route crosses the Tien River and Hau River by ferry, which represents a significant bottleneck, extending journey times considerably. Projected increases in traffic flows would necessitate expansion of ferry capacity (in terms of both the number of boats and of ferry landings).